Patient Care Volunteer Requirements

Patient Care Volunteers are a valuable component of the patient care team. They make home visits to offer companionship for patients and relief for caregivers. Activities may include socializing, reading to the patient, assisting with a hobby, listening, or light errands. We hope the information below will be helpful in understanding the process to become a patient care volunteer.

Direct Patient Care applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Volunteers make a one-year minimum commitment to the program.

Volunteers are expected to give approximately 2-4 hours per week when on assignment and submit required documentation.

Because of the sensitive nature of direct patient care, volunteers must successfully complete a screening process. The screening process includes an initial interview/orientation, a training course, and assessment by the supervisor at the completion of training.

All volunteers who provide direct patient care are required to complete an initial background check and annual TB testing.

Admission to the training class and/or completion of the training class does not guarantee acceptance as a patient care volunteer.

Attendance at all sessions of training is mandatory for anyone choosing to become a patient care volunteer.

Patient care training includes:

Hospice history and philosophy

Communication skills

Pain and symptom control

Psychosocial dynamics

Ethical issues

Spiritual support

Cultural diversity

Signs and Symptoms of Approaching Death

Grief and loss

After completing the training course and having a patient assigned, each volunteer is offered ongoing education and support.

Hospice volunteering is unique as we must meet all policy requirements set by the federal Hospice Medicare Benefit, as well as HNC policies and procedures. We hope this information is helpful. If patient care volunteering is for you, please submit an online application and we will contact you to arrange a time to meet.